Amanda Holden's forgotten role in Neighbours revisited – including accent which baffled fans

Amanda Holden's brief stint on the iconic Australian soap, Neighbours, is being revisited as fans remember her role just months before the show faced cancellation.

The beloved soap has had its fair share of ups and downs over the years, with a major blow in 2022 when it was dropped by Channel 5. Despite this setback, producers fought to keep the legacy alive, securing a deal with Amazon Freevee, who swooped in at the last minute to save the day.

Neighbours is more than just a daytime TV staple; it's been a launchpad for some of the biggest names in entertainment, from pop icon Kylie Minogue to Hollywood A-listers Margot Robbie and Liam Hemsworth. And Amanda Holden had a brief run on the Aussie drama.

Best known as a judge on Britain's Got Talent, Amanda proved her acting chops when she appeared on Neighbours in 2022, just before its near-cancellation.

She took on the role of Aunt Harriet in an unexpected London-based storyline when Neighbours' Harlow Robinson, played by Jemma Donovan, the daughter of Jason Donovan, headed off to London.

Harlow travelled there in an attempt to unravel a family secret involving her mum, Prue Wallace, played by Denise van Outen in the 2019 instalment of the show and met up with her aunt, Harriet.

However, fans were left scratching their heads at Amanda's accent during the airing of the episode and took to social media.

One viewer wrote: "Is that Amanda Holden in Neighbours with a strange accent #Neighbours."

Another chimed in: "Why is it both Denise van Outen and Amanda Holden sound(ed) like they're doing fake British accents on #neighbours despite both being British? ".

Joining the brigade of British celebs on the Aussie drama was chart-topper Sophie Ellis Bextor participating in the intriguing storyline. The singer was sighted perched on a bench alongside the River Thames when Harlow accidentally attempts to swipe her notebook, confusing it for her mothers.

Neighbours isn't the only entry on Amanda’s lengthy TV resume. She first graced our screens on the dating game show Blind Date back in 1991.

From 2006-2008 she played Sarah Trevanian in ITV's Wild At Heart for three series. Plus, she dabbled in acting roles in shows like Smack The Pony, Kiss Me Kate, The Grimleys, EastEnders, Hearts And Bones, and Cutting It.